Description:WHAT WE'RE DOING
At Lockheed Martin, we’re delivering the future of defense with disruptive technologies that redefine what's possible on the battlefield. Within the Advanced Product Solutions (APS) market segment of Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) – Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors (IWSS), our Laser and Sensor Systems team is pioneering the next generation of Directed Energy (DE) technologies — including high energy laser weapon systems, infrared countermeasures, and electro-optic sensors. These capabilities are shifting paradigms and delivering mission-critical solutions to meet urgent and evolving threats.
THE WORK
As Program Director, you’ll lead our Laser and Sensor Systems submarket segment, overseeing program strategy and execution across our Bothell, WA and Akron, OH sites. You'll drive the development, delivery, and sustainment of cutting-edge laser systems, transitioning emerging technology from prototype to production and supporting rapid deployment to the warfighter.
You will:
• Lead a highly complex portfolio with over $200M in annual orders and $150M in annual sales
• Shape investments and strategy across laser weapon systems, including laser subsystems, beam control, combat systems and platform integration
• Oversee efforts in infrared countermeasures and optical sensors, aligning with both customer needs and internal innovation
• Represent the business at the LM Laser Weapon System Executive Steering Committee
• Collaborate across corporate engineering, LM Space, Missiles and Fire Control, and LM Aero to leverage cross-Business Area synergies
• Build strong relationships with customers, users, policy makers, and other key stakeholders to operationalize DE capabilities
• Lead and inspire a high-performing, geographically distributed team of innovators and experts
WHO WE ARE
Our Laser and Sensor Systems team operates at the leading edge of mission-focused innovation, with a culture rooted in agility, technical excellence, and a passion for redefining what's possible. We partner across the corporation and with customers to bring disruptive solutions to life — from lab concept to operational deployment — in record time.
WHO YOU ARE
You’re a proven leader with deep experience in defense systems and a strong technical foundation in advanced technologies. You’re comfortable navigating ambiguity, influencing across stakeholder groups, and leading complex programs with agility and precision.
You bring:
• Executive-level program and portfolio leadership experience
• A background in advanced technology development, particularly in directed energy, sensors, or defense systems
• A demonstrated ability to influence change and guide teams through transformation
• Experience managing internal investments and achieving aggressive business growth targets
• Strong external presence with customers and policy stakeholders
• A passion for mentoring, developing, and empowering a diverse workforce
WHY JOIN US
This is more than a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to shape the future of defense. You’ll be at the forefront of integrating game-changing technologies onto critical military platforms, all while contributing to national security and mission success. Join us, and be part of something bigger — a mission that matters.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree with at least 10 or more years of program management or related experience
Track record of successfully establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with customers, subcontractors, staff, and internal functional organization.
Experience developing and mentoring other leaders and experience managing direct reports
Demonstrated ability to independently lead and manage a multi-disciplined technical and program team of various labor categories with proven Full Spectrum Leadership capabilities while working in a geographically separated business
Experience with management of and accountability for a business cycle (Long Range Planning/OpPlan/Outlook, New Business Funds, Capital/overhead)
Experience leading a portfolio (the combination of business growth and execution across multiple programs in different lifecycle phases including capture, startup, development, transition to production, LRIP, FRP, sustainment) and manage the transition of Research & Development into production programs
Demonstrated experience with establishing partnership with business development leaders to develop new or ancillary products or to expand existing product lines with new or existing customers
Familiarity with capture management such as strategy creation, team formation and leadership, customer shaping, EPP leadership, and proposal development
PM Director experience
Availability to travel domestically
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance
Desired Skills:
Directed energy domain experience (technical, customer, product)
Program kickoff, baselining and ongoing management expertise (PPMP, PPM-01, PMM)
Experience leading development projects through major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
Demonstrated ability to recognize, predict and manage technical, quality and production risk
Implementation of business rhythm (staff meetings, program and capture reviews, functional tag-ups, portfolio reviews, independent reviews)
Willingness to take calculated risks to maximize results
Strong negotiation and conflict management skills
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Part-time Remote Telework: The employee selected for this position will work part of their work schedule remotely and part of their work schedule at a designated Lockheed Martin facility. The specific weekly schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington or Washington DC is $180,000 - $287,500. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours. Our customers tackle the hardest missions. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision. They’re dangerous. Critical. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives. Those are the missions we care about.
As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin’s vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers’ toughest challenges. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U.S., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: RMS
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Program Management
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First
